How popular is Cathleen?

Cathleen is a very prominent first name for females (#657 out of 4276, Top 15%) but an uncommon surname for both adults and children. (2000 U.S. Census)

Cathleen entered the list in 1900-1909 and reached its top position of #282 in the U.S. in the 1950s, but is not listed currently. (2015 Birth Statistics)

Which version is better?

with its variant forms and related girl names. Caitlin(#609 in recent rankings), Catelyn, Catherine(#179), Catlin, Kathaleen, Katherine(#84), Kathleen(#830), Kathlene and Kathlyn are the prominent related forms of Cathleen rated in the Top 2000. Other forms, like Catelinn, are uncommon. These forms of Cathleen were favored in the 1950s (adoption of 2.36%) and have become significantly less widespread since (adoption 0.42%, ▼82%), with versions such as Cathleen becoming less stylish.